If you’re a woman (or one of the few men) who has lived in or vacationed in South Florida over the past 20+ years, chances are you’ve experienced the magic of Pandora Events. You must have memories from Ultra Saturdays, Cherry Pie Fridays, Girls in Wonderland, Sweet Thursdays, Bang, Women’s White Party, Aqua Girl, Winter Party, La Descarga plus various events during pride season. You must have danced to the beats of the many DJs they’ve booked and danced with their many gorgeous dancers. Known for creating unforgettable moments, Pandora Events has become synonymous with incredible fun, vibrant and safe celebration of LGBT women.
Since their first event in 1999 at a warehouse, Pandora Events has been a trailblazer in creating vibrant, inclusive events for gay women. In this interview, I am proud to bring to you a bit of the story of these women, Yesi Leon, Amy Alonso and Alison Burgos, who will be celebrating 25 years of making things happen for our community in South Florida and beyond. We explore the inspiring journey of how this dynamic group came together, the evolution of their events, and the changing demographics they’ve embraced over the years and what’s ahead. Join us as we celebrate their legacy; celebrate their 25th anniversary and look forward to the future of their impactful work.
Can you share the story of how you all met and decided to collaborate on this venture?
Amy: Yesi and I had already been friends for a while and worked together in the insurance business. Yesi used to do raves and I had a friend with a new space opening in Wynwood, called TIMBA. I was planning on backpacking through Europe and needed funds. I asked Yesi if she wanted to do a lesbian party and Pandora was born. Alison had just moved back to Florida, had just hosted her first charity event in Washington, D.C., and was putting together her first event in Miami Beach, Sweet Charity, which grew in its second year to become Aqua Girl. We started supporting each other’s events and it became clear that becoming partners was an opportunity for all of us to create something special.
What was the shared vision that brought you ladies together to create Pandora Events?
When we started Pandora there weren’t many options for women so creating an exclusive space for women and their friends and build community.
How did you choose the name and how does it represent you?
We got the name from Pandora’s box, an artifact in Greek mythology, and to us it meant releasing all the feminine energy, queer energy.
Were there any challenges in the early days. How did you overcome them?
In earlier years there was no internet, women’s dating apps etc. To connect with women, we had to go out to men’s bars, post our event in newspapers and rely on magazines like She Magazine (the local lesbian magazine).
Who were your supporters in the early days, and how did they help you get started?
She Magazine was a big supporter and we also forged relationships with other promoters, like Lynn Bové from Icandee.
How did you identify the needs of the lesbian community in S. Florida?
At the time I don’t think we were that analytical with any of it, we just created parties that we wanted to be at. Sexy, great music, cool spaces with an underground vibe.
What was your very first event like, and how was it received by the community?
The very first event was at an empty warehouse. No decor, barely any furniture. We had to bring furniture from home to decorate the place and stage. We posted it on the back page of the New Times hired our friends as staff. When we opened the doors, it quickly filled up. Our first event had over 400 women. All dressed up and ready to party, from there the rest is history.
How have your motivations and goals evolved since then?
Yesi: Now we all have kids and Alison and Amy are married, so life definitely feels different. Pandora gives us the opportunity to be part of our community and party with a purpose. That has become a big part of what we do know, inspiring others around wellness, equality, and family.
Which event would you say set new records that took P.E. to the next level?
Alison: Aqua Girl and Girls in Wonderland Festival in Orlando, which has now become the largest LGBTQ Women’s week in the country, as we embark on our 25th Year of GIW we get to look back and look forward. Also, so many different types of events and experience stand out, BANG at Bongos, Women’s White Party at Nikki Beach, Peach at Atlanta Pride, Valhalla Week in Puerto Rico, Shedonism in Vegas, I love thinking back to all the memories we have created and talent we have showcased with thousands of women from around the world.
What have been some of the most significant milestones and challenges you’ve faced in promoting events for gay/lesbian women in South Florida throughout the years?
Alison: With equality the market has changed. 20 years ago you weren’t ‘out’ in your everyday life, you were OUT at Cherry Pie or Sea Monster. As we have fought and won equality in our communities we have had to adapt and create experiences that still resonate and keep us all connected.
Women promoters have come and gone. What has set Pandora Events apart to keep going, no matter at what level?
Pandora has always been committed to serving, celebrating, and nurturing our community and the relationships we have built, we believe that has been instrumental in our success.
Which event would you like to bring back?
We are working on bringing back, La Descarga, an event dedicated to all things latin.
As individuals, you girls have moved on to grow a family for years now. Are there any other adventures as individuals you are pursuing?
Yesi: The three of us are entrepreneurs so we are always working on something. Alison has a food and wine festival, owns a restaurant and is in commercial real estate; Amy in the arts and I am trying to create something in the health industry that helps the relationship between doctors and families but for now I am training to hike up Mount Everest Base camp (lol).
As you celebrate your 25th anniversary, how do you see your future demographics/age groups and how is PE adapting to getting older and wiser?
We listen to our audience; we don’t dismiss their ideas, they know what they want so we try to give it to them. We have always tried to provide something for each age group.
Are there any new types of events or initiatives you are excited about that you can share with us now?
GIW Beach. We started this 2 years ago in St. Pete Beach and we are trying to grow it to a large festival like Girls in Wonderland.
Stay tuned at pandoraevents.com or through their social media pages. Congratulations Pandora!
